🔗 Share this article

Extraordinary striker Erling Haaland will get a crack at his initial international competition next summer, thanks to his efforts with Norway to the World Cup.

Furthermore, the 25-year-old Manchester City striker achieved it with remarkable fashion, scoring 16 goals in eight World Cup qualifying matches - scoring in every match in all those encounters.

That makes him the highest scorer in 2026 World Cup qualifying in every region.

Moreover, his national team's 4-1 win versus Italy on Sunday, where Haaland scored twice, ensures they will competing in next summer's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Haaland, speaking afterwards: "I'm happy, but more relieved. There's considerable expectation and stuff, and I sense it. But it's enjoyable."

It will be just their fourth World Cup, and their initial international competition since the 2000 Euros.

The Crucial Role Was Haaland's Contribution?

The striker's scoring statistics for Norway is truly extraordinary.

He has scored 55 goals in 48 matches for Norway.

Additionally he is just the sixth footballer ever, and the first in 53 years, to net 50 strikes in less than 50 appearances.

The nation's former top scorer was Jorgen Juve with 33 goals, who held that record for almost a century.

Throughout these preliminary games he netted 16 strikes - in eight encounters - plus two goal contributions.

That is double the goals tally anyone else has netted in UEFA matches.

He remains the highest scorer in these preliminary games in all continents, even in regions where national sides participate twice the number of encounters.

Over a year has gone by since Haaland previously didn't score in a match for his country.

Squad Contribution Beyond Haaland

But it is not only about Haaland.

Skipper Martin Odegaard, 26, has greater goal contributions than any competitor in European qualifying - seven.

The Arsenal midfielder has featured in 67 matches for Norway since his initial cap at the young age of 15.

"Pair Haaland's achievements with the reality that in this generation we also have Martin Odegaard," stated a football expert.

We're a country of five million inhabitants and we feature both the top forward and I would argue the top creator, certainly one of the best playmakers, in the EPL.

Historical Significance of Qualification

Initially in decades Norway fans will experience the joy of supporting their team at an international tournament.

Norway participated in the World Cups in 1994, 1998 and 1938, and the 2000 European Championship.

Erling's dad, Alf Inge Haaland, featured in the 1994 tournament.

The striker has mentioned before surpassing his dad represented a major professional goal for him.

"Norway will not win the World Cup," Haaland Jr told a major publication in recent months.

Escaping Historical Exclusion

Haaland's participation in the upcoming World Cup with Norway means he avoids his name going on the roster of legendary footballers who never featured in one.

Three Ballon d'Or winners never managed to participate in the global tournament.

The African icon, who won trophies with Monaco, PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, featured for Liberia - who haven't qualified for a World Cup.

Famous United forward the footballing genius, viewed by plenty as among the best ever, was a Northern Irish representative during the mid-century period when they did not qualify.

Madrid superstar the footballing pioneer represented three nations - Spain, Argentina and Colombia - but couldn't reach a World Cup with either country.